City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes Date: October 11, 2022 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 11 present. M. Chau presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation: Meetings Will Be Held In Council Chamber With Public Welcome And By Using Remote Participation As Follows: Members Of The Public May View The Meeting Via LTC.Org (On-Line; Live Streaming; Or Local Cable Channel 99). Those Wishing To Speak Regarding A Specific Agenda Item Shall Register To Speak In Advance Of The Meeting By Sending Email To City Clerk Indicating The Agenda Item And A Phone Number To Call So That You May Be Issued Zoom Link To The Meeting. Email Address Is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV. If No Access To Email You May Contact City Clerk At 978-674-4161. All Request Must Be Done Before 4:00 PM On The Day Of Meeting. For Zoom - HTTPS://SUPPORT.ZOOM.US/HC/EN-US/ARTICLES/201362193-JOINING-A- MEETING In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 2.2. Presentation - Lowell Asian American Film Festival (Virak Uy). In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. Mr. Uy addressed the body and Professor Jen Bauer (Middlesex Community College) outlined the film department at MCC. C. Leahy noted the outstanding work of Professor Bauer at MCC and at Lowell High School. Motion to suspend rules by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness to allow Motion to refer to City Manager request to explore the implementation of establishing “No Hit” Zones throughout public buildings within the City. So voted. Registered speakers, Margaret Shanahan (Mahoney Family Fund); Maureen Mahoney (Mahoney Family City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) Fund - Zoom); Dr. Eric Meikle (Chelmsford Pediatric – Video Message); and Pam LaRocque (Coalition for Better Acre) 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Auditor/Clerk Oversight And Personnel SC October 4th; City Council Regular Meeting October 4th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1. Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid - Request Installation Of Gas Main Replacement On Armand, Jean, Christman And Delmont Avenues; As Well As Bernier And Lowell Streets. (Cont. From 9/13/22) In City Council, Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 5. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.1. Ordinance - Create Position Project Director (FR-CARA Grant). In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Drinkwater. Adopted by Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 6. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 6.1. National Grid - Request Installation Of Electric Vault In Front Of 173 East Merrimack Street. In City Council, Given second reading, hearing held, no remonstrants. David Boucher (National Grid) addressed the Council. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 6.2. National Grid - Request Installation Of (1) Handhole And 50 Feet Underground Electric Conduit At Favor And Appleton Streets. In City Council, Given second reading, hearing held, no remonstrants. David Boucher (National Grid) addressed the Council. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Motion to take Item #11.4 out of order by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 7.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) A) Motion Response - Lowell Connector – C. Scott commented on costs and different programs offered by MassDOT. C. Scott requested additional details regarding those costs and programs. B) Motion Response - Connector Trail – C. Leahy noted the opening target date. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on addition to the trail which involved added design and more partners involved. C) Motion Response - Illegal Dumping – C. Scott commented on the purchase of equipment. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that ARPA funding would probably not cover those costs and outlined the use of cameras and ways to improve the use. C. Gitschier noted costs and indicated that there is equipment in house that is not being properly managed. C. Mercier noted illegal dumping is disrespectful to City and that violators need to be hit with harsh consequences. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier to request City Manager provide regarding costs and operational use of cameras in the City. So voted. D) Motion Response Aiken and Lakeview with Attachment – C. Robinson noted it was a hot spot for accidents and it needs mitigation. C. Leahy noted the report provided good information. 7.2. Communication - Resignation Of Frederique Young From Citizen Advisory Committee. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 7.3. Communication - Resignation Of Robert Njoroge From ZBA. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Motion to bundle and waive second reading of Items #8.1 to #8.3, inclusive by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. 8. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $5,000 MEMA Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted by Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 8.2. Vote - Apply/Accept/Expend $400,000 PARC Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted by Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Gitschier questioned if any money could go to upgrading bathrooms. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that money was not allocated for that under this current phase of the grant. C. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) Gitschier questioned if future phases could include bathrooms. Ms. Baez-Rose indicated it could and outlined time frame of that. C. Mercier appreciated the grant but noted wasting that money as the South Common is currently only occupied by homeless whose needs are not being addressed. C. Nuon noted the same issue and commented that it is grant money for a specific purpose so it should be uses and hope for good outcome. 8.3. Vote - Authorize CM Ex. Underground Electric Easement 171 Jackson St. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to refer to City Manager to provide further information C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. C. Jenness requested green space be protected by allowing only underground easements. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that they were probably all underground but would verify. C. Jenness noted heavy equipment being used and that street repairs must be sufficient. C. Jenness indicated that City no longer owns parcel. C. Jenness noted such a vote should be before Council earlier in the process. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated easements are common in this type of construction and that any damage done needs to be fully repaired. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 9.1. Auditor/Clerk Oversight And Personnel SC October 4, 2022. In City Council, C. Gitschier provided report outlining attendance and discussion of updates to improving hiring process in the City. C. Gitschier noted that the improvements were done in phases and that an important aspect of it was the implementation of an application tracking system in MUNIS. C. Robinson noted it was a very encouraging meeting and that City is moving in right direction. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 10. PETITIONS 10.1. Claims - (2) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 10.2. Misc. - Christiana Pinheiro (Trem Caipira Restaurant) Request Installation Of A 15 Minute Parking Spot At 19, Hurd Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Motion by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Gitschier to discuss Item #11.1 with this item. So voted. 10.3. Misc. - FWC Concord, LLC (Jody Zhang - Manager) Request Installation Of No Parking/Parking Restrictions Signs At 10-18 Concord Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 11. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 11.1. C. Leahy/C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Install (2) 15 Minute Parking Signs In Front Of Trem Caipira Restaurant At 19 Hurd Street. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. See Item #10.2 as matter was referred to Traffic Engineer. C. Leahy commented on some issues in the area hindering the take-out business. 11.2. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Report Detailing Enforcement Efforts Happening Around Overflowing Trash, Contaminated Recycling And Barrels Left At Curb After Pick-Up, And How It Will Be Improved Going Forward. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott commented on the problems and noted the need for information and enforcement. 11.3. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Report Regarding The Process For Lowell To Offer A Municipal Aggregation Program For Natural Gas. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted the matter was examined years prior but it would be appropriate to revisit the possibility as heating costs soar. 11.4. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. And LFD Explore The Possibility Of Purchasing And Electric Fire Truck. (Video Presentation) In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Yem began a video presentation regarding apparatus indicating he had no financial interest in the company. C. Gitschier noted that the commercial element of the video did not belong before the Council. C. Rourke commented that Manager would be one to put a video before the body and that professionals should be making such choices as to public safety. C. Robinson noted that proper individuals would get information regarding equipment through proper venues; ie. conferences. Manager Golden, Jr. noted department heads have information regarding equipment and such purchases must go through a procurement process. C. Jenness noted importance of environmental protection but was not supportive of how information was presented. C. Nuon noted that the motion needs to be explored by proper professionals. M. Chau commented that information should not be presented in this fashion but motion is important and should be investigated. Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier to suspend rules to allow Mr. Larry Finn (LFD) to address body regarding annual coat drive. So voted. Mr. Finn informed public of time and location of upcoming coat drive. C. Mercier noted the organization will take cash donations as well. C. Gitschier thanked the Finn family for their efforts. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 11.5. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have The Appropriate Department Provide An Update On The Roberto Clemente Park Aka Pailin Park On Middlesex Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Yem commented on the City commitment to the area and requested update. C. Nuon noted the effort on the part of the City. 11.6. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have The Appropriate Department Repair And Clean The Bridge Over The Western Canal Between Lewis Street And Suffolk Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Yem noted the bridges need repair and the area needs to be cleaned. C. Leahy noted the private organizations who assist in keeping area clean. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, none. 13. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov